Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate after a dispute with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Her reversal prompted journalist Mehdi Hasan to accuse her of dishonesty and betraying her party. He also questioned Democratic leaders’ earlier support for Stevens, turning her endorsement into a wider controversy over party loyalty.
In a video posted on X, Stevens claimed El-Sayed had told her to stay away from his campaign. “And he’s right,” she said before announcing her support for Rogers. She also criticized what she described as hate surrounding the Democratic nominee and rejected associations with Hasan Piker.
Despite backing a Republican, Stevens maintained that she had not abandoned her political identity. “I’m still a very proud Democrat,” she declared. She added that she continued to believe in her previous votes and statements.
However, Hasan challenged her position, calling Stevens a “disturbed, deranged, dishonest woman.” He claimed she had told The New York Times less than 48 hours earlier that she supported El-Sayed. He then questioned how Democratic leaders had backed her candidacy, describing her as “a complete traitor to their party.” Hasan also called for soul-searching among her former supporters and urged Chuck Schumer to respond.
Haley Stevens Faces Backlash Over Mike Rogers Endorsement in Michigan Senate Race
The announcement sparked divided reactions on X, with some questioning Stevens’ political loyalty and others challenging Hasan’s criticism.
“Not voting for Abdul is one thing, endorsing MAGA is a stab in the back to all of her supporters and the Dem party,” one user wrote.
Another linked the decision to her dispute with El-Sayed, stating, “she got butt hurt when abdul said she’s not welcome anymore, that’s basically it”
Others turned their attention to Democratic leaders who previously supported Stevens. “Everyone here endorsed Haley Stevens in the primary, and they MUST repudiate that endorsement or leave the party,” one response argued.
A separate commenter expressed broader frustration, writing, “The Democratic Party establishment is why I’m registered Unaffiliated after 49 years as a Democrat!”
However, others defended Stevens’ decision and rejected Hasan’s characterization. “Crossing party lines is a choice to argue with, not a sign someone is deranged,” one person wrote.
Another questioned Hasan’s reaction, stating, “She cares more about America than her party and that upsets you?”
Stevens maintains that she remains a Democrat despite endorsing Rogers. Her remarks did not address her future within the House Democratic caucus.
